The “Đak Pơ Digital Market”, launched on March 1, 2026, has attracted more than 5,500 members, providing residents with an online platform to post product images, information, prices and contact details.
The initiative is part of a 2026-2030 project aimed at promoting the role of union members and young people in community digital transformation across Gia Lai province.
The Đak Pơ Commune Youth Union was assigned to implement a project focused on digital transformation in agricultural product consumption and the development of OCOP products.
Before the digital marketplace was established, sales of agricultural products and local specialties in Đak Pơ largely relied on personal contacts, traditional markets and traders.
Many households had quality products but lacked the skills to photograph, film or promote them on social media, limiting their ability to find customers outside the locality.
The Youth Union has sought to address that gap by going beyond simply creating an online marketplace. Its members help residents create accounts, prepare posts and provide technical assistance.
They also visit production households to film and edit promotional videos showing raw materials, production processes and local people making the products.
The approach has helped households become more confident in using digital platforms to promote their goods, according to Bùi Thanh Hoa, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Đak Pơ commune and Secretary of the commune Youth Union.
Videos turn local products into online stories
One of the main challenges is presenting a product's distinctive features in a short video while keeping the content authentic, said Nguyễn Hoàng Huy, Deputy Secretary of the Đak Pơ Commune Youth Union and a member of the digital market's management board.
Many producers are unfamiliar with appearing on camera, so young volunteers not only record the videos but also guide sellers during filming. The focus is on telling the story behind a product and creating an emotional connection, rather than simply listing its features.
Videos promoting traditional jar wine and ruby guava have attracted substantial views and engagement, helping introduce the products to a broader audience.
The experience of Đinh Thị Phyen, a jar wine seller in Gliek village, illustrates the impact.
Previously, Phyen mainly sold her products to acquaintances, local residents and walk-in customers. Promotion depended largely on word of mouth, keeping her customer base relatively small.
After a video about her jar wine was posted on the “Đak Pơ Digital Market,” she began receiving more inquiries about the products and ordering process. Some customers from outside the locality contacted her after discovering the wine through the video.
The digital content also allows potential buyers to see the product and learn about the wine-making process before contacting the seller. Phyen said she would have struggled to film, edit and publish such material without support from the Youth Union.
Digital access opens new routes for buyers
The platform is also changing how consumers discover products.
Đinh Thị Tâm, from Hamlet 2 in Đak Pơ commune, said she found products through videos posted on the digital market. Images showing the production process gave her a clearer understanding of the products' origins and helped build confidence in making a purchase.
Clear information about the products, combined with direct contact with sellers, made it easier for her to buy goods she would otherwise have found difficult to access without a personal introduction.
According to Hoa, the growing number of followers and interactions on the digital marketplace is helping local products reach customers in other areas. The platform is particularly useful for young people, residents working away from home and consumers interested in local specialties.
Some products that were previously sold mainly within the commune or through personal networks are now attracting buyers from elsewhere.
However, online visibility has not automatically translated into sales for every household. There remains a gap between views, engagement and actual orders, while some producers, particularly in ethnic minority areas, continue to face difficulties using social media for commercial purposes.
Huy said promotional videos need to be supported by clear information on product origins, purchasing locations and contact methods. Sellers must also respond quickly to potential customers and ensure they have suitable packaging and delivery arrangements.
The Youth Union plans to continue helping residents bring their products into the digital marketplace, with the aim of developing the “Đak Pơ Digital Market” into a trusted and regular channel for product promotion, connection and sales.
The initiative is expected to help local producers expand their markets while increasing the value of Đak Pơ's agricultural products, specialties and OCOP goods.
On August 8, 2026, at the 2026 Youth Dialogue Conference, the Hồ Chí Minh Communist Youth Union of Đak Pơ Commune was honored as one of two collectives to receive a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee for outstanding models and projects that have contributed to local economic development from 2024 to 2026.
